Final days to apply for Next Generation EU funds to accelerate the transformation of social care

Two calls for applications for grants in the field of social care, published by the Department of Social Rights and funded by the European Union through the Next Generation EU programme, are open until 29 July. The calls have 6 different specific lines for the implementation of technological and social innovation projects, the construction and remodelling of facilities, and the promotion of accessibility, among others.

Specifically, in the technological field there is one line for projects that use technology to provide solutions to people in situations of dependency, disability or social problems arising from mental illness, and another line to finance technological investment actions and information systems that improve the management of social services and transform current intervention models, in accordance with the Second Strategic Plan for Social Services 2021-2024. There is also a line of grants that opens the door to projects (technological or not) that promote innovative care models in the field of social services, which can be replicated throughout the system, allow knowledge to be exchanged about social services, and promote modernisation processes in the sector.

As the department explains, the intention of these calls is to “contribute to accelerating the transformation of social care that promotes Social Rights, along the lines set by the European agenda”.

The grants are aimed at projects implemented by councils and other local bodies, organisations, companies, universities and research centres and other socioeconomic agents working in the field of social policies.

The funding for 2022 is 114.5 million euros and the ministry plans to allocate 38.5 million euros next year. Thus, in two years, the department will have invested more than 150 million euros from European funds to finance projects led by the group of agents involved in social care in Catalonia.
Source and further information: Department of Social Rights.